Man dies after cops use Taser on him -- chicagotribune.com

Man dies after cops use Taser on him -- chicagotribune.com

Not only did these police use a Taser and kill a suspect but they identified the 37 year old as a "24 year old". Clearly they missed their suspect and killed another person, or, they have no business carrying lethal weapons when they can not properly identify a suspect.

"Became violent" does not describe what preceded the man's objection to police violence. It is disturbing to read of justifications like "the man is a known gang member".

The use of the weapon requires some supervisory approval, and their "use of force" criteria include such specifics as determination of the person is an "active resister" or "are trying to distance themselves from an officer's reach in an arrest."

So that means that running from an officer is cause to be Tasered and have your life put on the line.

The Taser is the electrical death machine that fits in your pocket.

Neat.

Now read the description of events by a witness.

From the back of a police vehicle, Garza said, he saw police shock Gonzalez with a Taser twice while he was on the ground and "wiggling" away from police. He also said police officers struck Gonzalez for 10 minutes, and he blamed police for his death.

"They shouldn't have done this," he said. "He was on the floor. How could he fight back?"

But police spokesman John Henry said officers shocked Gonzalez because he was "resisting arrest and becoming combative and violent while being taken into custody."

Police Weaponry

Should the police be armed?

With recent deaths due to pepper spray probably causing a heart attack, is it possible to discuss the issue of should our police be armed and if so, how - without invoking the "better than guns" argument.

The actions of police we hope never get into the territory that one normally pitches am armed force against. But to think that in today's world is simply unrealistic.

Police are the appointed guardians of our society. When they overstep the mark, as they certainly have in some exceptions that take all the media steam away from more positive developments. And then we start to read about how police could be issued with the Taser to disable miscreants, and with the current trend against tagging, how many of them will now be subjected to potentially fatal lethal force?

None, we hope. How are police going to deal with threats if they are not fierce and ruthless. By being smart, trained and resolved. But making assault of a police officer into an offense idiots are charged with, rather than being taken to for revenge. Police must rise above the legacy of lawless behaviour from disgraced individuals.